Peggy Ogden-Howe

What does it mean to be a full-fledged American citizen and a person of strong religious beliefs?

What does it mean to be a native-born Texan and an American citizen?

What does it mean to live in a neighborhood with those who worship on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, or not at all?

For me, it means that I need to be clear about who is the God that I worship, the God revealed in Jesus Christ’s death, resurrection, ascension and presence in his Holy Spirit.

I believe this God created and is creating all things good.

This awesome God has created every sister and brother of all humanity, whether she or he acknowledges a fact that I hold as a foundational belief.

Therefore, all the people in my neighborhood, fellow Texan-born natives, American citizens and visitors, and dwellers in the uttermost parts of the planet are members of my human family.

This Creating God also recognized the wickedness of humanity and became a human being in Jesus Christ.

God’s love for every person is powerful enough to overcome and transform evil that intends to destroy what and whom God has created.

I believe this was accomplished once and for all through Jesus.

At the core of my being, I am a child of God, redeemed by Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit.

God’s goodness is infinite, and we live as finite beings, inextricably linked to time and place.

Accidentally, I was born in Austin, because my parents from Minnesota and Colorado made their first home there.

Accidentally, because they were American citizens, I became one.

My political place is accidental, a matter of circumstance related to my father’s work and my mother’s support.

These accidental factors of my heritage do not define who I am at the core of my being.

What difference does it make that I, a child of God, live in Denton, Texas, United States of America?

My life is shaped daily by the availability of good food, clear and abundant water, and (except for days of ozone alerts in the metroplex) refreshing air.

I am not afraid to go to the mall, for fear of a terrorist act. I remember our nation’s history, born in oppression and heroically won and preserved as a nation through the ultimate sacrifices of countless women and men.

I write e-mails to my representative in Congress and vote in every election.

I love this land and its people, and I rejoice in discovery of other lands and people.

I thank God for the freedom to worship, knowing that Jesus freed me from sin and death to serve my neighbor.

I suggest that each of us reflect on the freedom to serve as neighbor on this Fourth of July weekend.

Do you pray for the president of the United States, our governor and mayors?

Also, pray for citizens to pay attention to the welfare of neighbors through discussing and deciding.

Do you pray for members of the armed and uniformed services?

Also, pray for lifelong commitment to pay for their rehabilitation and care.

Do you pray for God to bless America?

Also, pray for God to bless our global neighbors, near and far.

Have you sung “This Is My Song?” written by Lloyd Stone and Georgia Harkness in the 20th century, and sung to the tune of “Finlandia?”

It celebrates the love of our land and acknowledges God of all the nations.

Its closing verse is: “This is my prayer, O God of all earth’s kingdoms, your kingdom come; on earth your will be done. O God, be lifted up till all shall serve you, and hearts united learn to live as one. So hear my prayer, O God of all the nations; myself I give you; let your will be done.”

THE REV. PEGGY OGDEN-HOWE is the pastor of Christ the Servant Lutheran Church.